Automatic control mechanism for motorized typewriters



April 18, 1944.

A. H. BUCKLEY AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MOTORIZED TYPEWRITERSFiled Aug. 7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 18, 1944. BUCKLEY 2,346,819

AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR MOTORIZED TYPEWRITERS Filed Aug. 7, 19413 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 18, 1944 AUTOMATIC CONTROL MECHANISM FOR4 MOTORIZED TYPEWBITERS Arthur H, Buckley, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 7, 1941, Serial No. 405,738

- 7 Claims. (01. 197-20) This invention relates to automatic motorizedtypewriters.

In automatic motorized typewriters the automatic controlling mechanismhas usually been permanently connected to the keys or built into thetypewriter. One object of the invention is to provide automatic controlmechanism which may be connected to, and disconnected from, a motorizedtypewriter of standard construction. Such an attachment makes itpossible to provide for automatic control of the typewriterkeys withoutreconstructing the typewriter or necessitating more or less permanentconnections between the automatic control mechanism and keys.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved attachmentwhich comprises automatic controlling mechanism for a full set of keysand which may be attached to the front of a typewriter withoutinterfering with the manual operation of the keys.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple automatic controlmechanism for the keys of a motorized typewriter.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detaileddescription.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.i

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly insection of a motorized typewriter and the automatic control mechanismmounted on the typewriter frame. Fig. 2 is a perspective of theautomatic control attachment. Fig. 3 is a plan of a portion of thekeyboard of a motorized typewriter and the attachment, the enclosingcase for the attachment being shown in section. Fig. 4 is a skeletonizedperspective of a portion of parts of the attachment and one of thetypewriter keys. Fig. 5 is a diagram of the electrical connections forpermutably operating the magnets in the automatic control mechanism.Fig. 6 is a view of a record-tape perforated to close the circuitsthrough the permutably actuated magnets. Fig. '7 is a section of thetracker-bar and associated switches for controlling the magnets.

The invention is exemplified as applied to a motorized typewritingmachine of usual construction which comprises a frame a; a full set ofkey-levers b for controlling the usual number of type-bars andassociated actions, such as the spacing-mechanism, shift-lock,tabulator,

back-spacer, case-shift and carriage return; type-bars b controlled bythe key-levers b; a drive-roll 23 which is driven by an electric motor(not shown) in any manner well understood in the art; a series ofdevices 3 each adapted to be coupled to, and uncoupled from, the roll 23for individually shifting the typebars b or the associated actions bypower from the roll; and a platen-carriage a of any usual construction.These associated actions may be of any suitable construction, such asused in motorized typewriters. The devices s are altemately arranged atthe front and rear of roll 23. Each shifting device 8 comprises abellcrank lever 32 which is fulcrumed on a rod 34 which is fixedlysupported in a member of frame 33'. 'The horizontally extending arm ofeach lever 23 is adapted to shift a type-bar or action through a link 32and a three-armed lever 29 which is fulcrumed on a rod 30. The

vertically extending arm of each lever 33 carries at its lower end arotatable element 35 which is provided with cam-faces which are normallydisengaged from roll 23. Each keylev'er b is provided with a dependingarm 12* which is adapted to control a latch for controlling the rotationof element 35 and shifting it into contact with the roll 23 for causingthe element to be rotated a cycle of less than one-half revolution andautomatically disengaging it, as well understood in the art. One arm ofeach lever 29 is connected by a link 3| to therear end of a toggle lever28 which is adapted to shift the type-bar b on its pivot b by powerderived from roll 23, or suitably connected to another action. A spring29 is applied to each lever .29 for retracting said lever and the lever33 connected thereto. The details of the devices s and the connectionsfor shifting them from key-levers b are more fully set forth in LettersPatent No. 2,247,275, granted" to me June 24, 1941, to which referencemay be had for the details thereof as the exemplification of motoroperable devices for shifting the type-bars and other actions.

The attachment for adapting the motorized typewriter for automaticcontrol is mountedin a case 50, which is provided at its inner side witha pair of hooks 5i which are adapted to fit over the usual front rail (1of the typewriter frame a and a screw 51a adapted to hold the hooks infirm engagement with therail ..o. The case is adapted to extend acrossthe front of the typewriter-frame and contains ithe automatic controlmechanism for the keys b. This case is detachably connected to the rail:1 and contains all of the automatic control mechanism for individuallyand selectively shifting all of the key-levers b, respectively. Eachkey-lever b is normally. held in its raised position by a spring 55 ofsumcient force to retract the key-lever when it is released.

The automatic control mechanism comprises a series of horizontallyextending levers 52, one for operating each key b. The front ends of theentire series of levers 52 are pivoted on a rod 52 which extends acrossthe front of the case 59. Each lever 52 is formed of a flat metal barwhich is provided with a one-quarter twist 54 rearwardly of the rear ofthe case 59 so that its greatest width will extend transversely. At itsrear end lever 52 is provided with a downturned terminal 55 which isadapted for abutting engagement with one of the keys b. Levers 52 areheld in spaced relation by a comb-bar 55 on the case. Springs 51 areconnected to levers 52, respectively, and have suiiicient power to shiftlevers 52 to shift keys b against the force of springs 45 when thelevers 52 are released. The lower ends of the springs 51 are connectedto screws 58 whereby the tension of the springs may be accuratelyadjusted to function as aforesaid.

The control mechanism also comprises a series of eight bars d which areindividually designated (1 d, d d d d, d" and d. The ends of these barsare provided with integral forwardly extending side-arms d which arepivotally supported on a rod 50 which extends across and is secured inthe end-walls of thecase 59. The bars d are each normally pressedupwardly to engage .one or more of the levers 52 by a spring 5|,

which is connected at 52 to the front end of arm 10 typewriting machineby power. Each simultaneous closing of three circuits by theswitch-mechanism s will pull down three bars d which are connected tothe three actuated magnets against the force of springs 5|. Thisexemplifies mechanism for automatically actuating magnets e in differentthree-group permutations for controlling the bars d from a record.

The upper edges of the controller-bars d are provided with notches 9 andabutments 9. These notches 8 and abutments 9 on the series of levers dare arranged so that each lever 52 will be held normally raised by theabutments 9 on a group of three bars and the remaining five of the barsare provided with notches 8 to permit the same 5 lever to be loweredwhen the three of the magnets e which are connected to said group ofthree bars are actuated. Th arrangement of abutments 9 on bars d isaccording to the code of perforations in the tape f, as illustrated inFig. 6. Each lever 52 is normally held raised by the abutments 9 onthree of the eight bars d. The remaining five bars are provided withnotches 8 for each lever 52, so that each lever will be released whenthree bars are depressed. The levers are operated in different groups ofthree for each of the levers 52.

As the result of the permutative operation of the eight magnets e andeight bars d in groups of three according to the code of the tape andthis arrangement of abutments and notches, levers 52 d9 and to anadjustable screw which is threaded 40 will be singly releasedresponsively to the diilerent to a fixed bar 64. The force applied tothe bars d by springs 6i preponderates the downward pull of springs 51so that levers 52 which controlthe key-levers b will be normally held intheir raised positions by said bars. The ends 55 of levers 52 areadapted to engage and depress, but are unattached to, the key-levers b,so the latter can be manually operated at anytime independently of theautomatic control mechanism.

Each of the bars d is shifted downwardly by a solenoid magnet e whichcomprises a helix e and an armature e which is connected by a link to abar d. The magnets are mounted in the case 50 and are permutativelycontrolled in groups of three from any record-controlled mechanism. Themagnets are controlled by a switch-mechanism s, which is adapted toindividuallyclose circuits through the magnets, respectively. Theseswitches are associated with a tracker-bar a over tudinal lines of thetape. The perforations on each transverse line are located in groups ofthree for permutatively closing circuits through. groups of three of theeight magnets-e, as illustrated in Fig. 1, for the simultaneousoperation of three,

bars d. Switch-mechanism s comprises a contact permutative operations ofthe bars d in groups of three. During the releaseof one lever 52'al1 ofthe other levers will be held raised by at least an abutment 9 on one ofthe levers (1 so that each operation of three of the bars ,d will singlyrelease so suflicient in number to control the individual operation of aset of levers 52 corresponding in number to the full set of keys b.ofthe motorized typewriter, by springs 51.

When it is desired to provide a motorized typewriter of standardconstruction with automatic control mechanism, the case will b attachedto the front rail of the typewriter-frame so the rear ends of levers 52will be positioned to individually depress the keys b. This completesthe m necessary connections between the, automatic control mechanism andthe typewriter for the operation of the keys to control the shift or thetype-bars and their actions by power from roll 23. The record-tape andits advancing mecha- 55 nism may be located wherever desired. The

switching devices controlled by the tape are connected'by flexibleconductors to the. magnets e and may be located in any convenient place.

When the case 50; has been attached to the type- 31 connected to abattery and a series of ntacts '70 writer-frame, the operation will beas follows:

1 t2 a 4, 5, t t and t', which areconnected.-

respectively, to magnets e, as illustrated'in Fig. 5. As each transverseline of peri'orationsin the tape passes over the tracker-bar, threecircuits Nonnally, the levers 52 will be held raised against the forceof springs 5! by three of the abutments 9' on three of the control-barsd. The keys b will be accessible for manual operation atalltimes m be th d, for energizing three of the 78 independently of the automaticcontrol mecha- Y tape 1 is operated over the tracker-barn. Eachtransversely arranged set of three perforations will close the circuitsfor three of the magnets e, which will depress three of the levers dwhich have abutments 9 engaging one lever 52, against the force ofsprings iil. The spring 51 connected to that lever will then depress itand operate one of the keys b. The permutative operation of the eightmagnets e and interconnected bars 11 will be in accordance with thethree-group perforations in the tape so that each of the levers 52 willbe controlled by the tape-record. When the magnets arede-energized,springs 6| will raise the three depressed bars d and raise the lever 52,which has been depressed, to its normal position. By-the permutativeoperation of the bars d in groups of three, the series of levers 52 forthe entire set of keys I; will be automatically and individuallycontrolled. During each operation of a group of three bars 11 at leastone abutment 9 will hold the remaining levers 52 raised.

An inherent characteristic of the invention is that the shifting leversof the automatic control mechanism are adapted to engage the key-leversin offset relation to the finger pieceswhich are used for manualoperation, so that the latter remain free for independent manualoperation at all times, and the rear ends of the shifting levers areadapted to be depressed independently of the operation of the automaticcontrol mechanism.

The invention exemplifies an attachment which includes permutablyoperated elements or bars and which, when connected to the frame of themotorized typewriter, renders the typewriter automatically controllable.The attachment is comparatively simple so that the key may, whendesired, be manually operated without disconnecting the attachment. Theinvention makes itpossible to apply automatic control mechanism to amotorized typewriter of standard construction without change in thetypewriting machine. The automatic control mechanism is simple inconstruction. When desired, this mechanism may be quickly detached fromthe typewriter-frame for any purpose. 7

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth since these mayb modified within the scope of the app nded claimswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: V

1. An attachment for a motorized typewriter, comprising a case providedwith means for attachment to, and adapted to extend across, the front ofthe typewriter-frame, and automatic control mechanism for thetypewriter-keys comprising a set of levers mounted in the case,pivotally supported at their front ends, and adapted to extendrearwardly over the front of the typewriter-frame to overlie and forindividually shiftoperating the bars to control the individual operationof the levers.

2. An attachment for a motorized typewriter,

comprising a case provided with means for at, tachment to, and adaptedto extend across, the front of the typewriter-frame, and automaticcontrol mechanism for the typewriter-keys comprising a set of leversmounted in the case, pivotally supported at their front ends, andadapted to extend rearwardly over the front of the typewriter-frame tooverlie and for individually shifting the key-levers of the typewriter,a series-of permutably operable bars pivotally mounted in the case forselectively controlling the individualoperation of the levers, springsin the case for operating the levers to shift the key levers, the barsunderlying the levers and being adapted to hold them in their normalposition, means for shifting the bars to hold the levers in normalposition, and means in the case for permutably operating the bars tocontrol the individual operation of the levers.

3. An attachment for a motorized typewriter, comprising a case providedwith means for attachment to, and adapted to-extend across, the

front of the typewriter-frame, and automatic the case for selectivelycontrolling the individual ing the key-levers of the typewriter, a serieof pcrmutably operable bars pivotally mounted in the case forselectively controlling the individual operation of the levers, means inthe case for operating the levers to shift the key levers, the barsunderlying the levers and being adapted to hold them in their normalposition, means for shifting the bars to hold the levers in normalposition, and means in the case for permutably operation of the levers,springs inthe case for operating the levers to shift the key levers, thebars underlying the levers and being adapted to hold them in theirnormal position, springs for shifting the bars to hold the levers innormal position, and means in the case for permutably operating the barsto control the individual operation of the levers.

4. The combination with a typewriter having a frame and keyboard, ofautomatic control mechanism therefor comprising a set of levers, meansfor supporting the levers across the front of the typewriter-frame, thelevers being adapted to extend rearwardly over the front of said frameto overlie, and for individually shifting, the keylevers of thetypewriter, springs for operating the levers to shift the key levers, aseries of per-' mutably operable bars adapted to hold the levers intheir normal position and provided with means for selectively andindividually controlling the operation of the levers by their springs,springs for shifting the bars to hold the levers in their normalpositions, and means for permutably shifting the bars to control theindividual operation of the levers.

5. The combination with a typewriter having a frame and a .keyboarcb ofautomatic control mechanism therefor comprising a set of levers, meansfor supporting the lever across the front of the typewriter-frame, thelevers being adapted to extend rearwardly over the front of said frameto overlie, and for individually shifting, the keylevers of thetypewriter, springs for operating the levers to shift the key-levers, aseries of permutably operable bars adapted to hold the levers in theirnormal position and provided with means for selectively and individuallycontrolling the operation of the levers by their springs, and permutablyoperable electromagnets for shifting the bars to control the individualoperation of the levers.

6. An attachment for a motorized typewriter having a frame andkey-levers with finger pieces thereon for their manual operation,comprising a case adapted to extend across the front and outside of thetypewriter frame. means for attaching the case to said frame, andautomatic control mechanism for the key-levers comprising a set oflevers for shifting the key-levers, respectively. mounted in the case,adapted to extend rearwardly therefrom over the front of the typeside ofthe finger pieces, of automatic control mechanism for the key-leverscomprising a set 'of levers for shifting the key-levers, means forsupporting the shifting levers across the front a of the frame, theshifting levers being provided writer frame and provided with means attheir 10 with downturned rear ends terminating. forwardrear endsterminating forwardly of the fingerpieces on all of the key-levers forindividually engaging the key-levers in offset relation to the fingerpieces so that the finger pieces will remain free for manual operationof the key-levers, locally and individually controlling the operation Isprings for imparting operative strokes to the shifting levers. andmechanism for automatically and individually controlling the operationof the 1y of the'flnger-pieces on all of thekey-levers for engaging thefront extensions on the keylevers, springs for imparting operativestrokes to the shifting levers, and mechanism for automatiof theshiftinglevers by the springs for the selective and individual operationof the key-levers.

ARTBZURH.IBUCKLEY.

